Chapter 6: Roars in the Night

Convinced it was just her imagination, Anran scanned the surroundings. Although there was an odd vibe in the air, she couldn't pinpoint anything unusual.

Her thoughts quickly shifted to her grandfather waiting for her at home. It was her first day at school, and she was already late. If he asked, she'd need a good excuse.

With that in mind, Anran hurried off.

After dinner, Anran sat with her grandfather watching TV. The signal in Rosetown was spotty, and even the television could only pick up a handful of channels. Cell service was equally unreliable. Bored by the uninteresting programs, Anran struck up a conversation with her grandfather.

"Grandpa, how's school? Are you getting along with your classmates?" he asked with concern.

"Grandpa, don't worry so much! You know how I am—I can make friends anywhere. Remember when I joined the martial arts school? At first, no one wanted to call me 'senior sister,' but within days, they were all greeting me like that," Anran replied proudly.

In truth, Anran missed city life and the warmth of her martial arts family. But she couldn't let her grandfather know she was being isolated at school. It would only worry him.

"That's good to hear! That's good!" her grandfather said with a smile.

Afraid he might probe further, Anran quickly changed the subject. "Grandpa, don't you think there's something strange about this town?"

"Strange?" Her grandfather seemed to ponder the question before replying, "Other than the short days, I don't notice anything unusual."

Anran sighed internally. Did her grandfather really not sense it? Ever since she arrived in Rosetown, she had felt an eerie undercurrent. Yet, she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Now that you mention it, there is one thing," her grandfather suddenly recalled. "Those noises that used to disturb our sleep haven't been heard lately."

"Disturbing noises?" Anran asked. She hadn't noticed anything. Nights in Rosetown were quiet, with only the faint chirping of insects. What could possibly disrupt sleep?

But before she could press for details, her grandfather yawned, signaling it was time to rest. Anran had no choice but to retire early.

In the middle of the night, a series of loud "roars" jolted Anran awake. So this was the noise her grandfather had mentioned!

Anran jumped out of bed, a faint smile on her lips. She knew exactly what it was—the sound of motorcycle engines, their mufflers removed to amplify the noise. Who would have thought a remote town like this would have a motorcycle gang?

How would they compare to "Streamer"?

Anran was an all-around athlete and a motorcycle enthusiast. Since childhood, she had been drawn to extreme sports. She had joined a motorcycle team and even won several international competitions. The thought of a motorcycle gang in Rosetown energized her, wiping away all sleepiness.

She quickly changed into a black riding suit, grabbed her helmet, and slipped out quietly.

The night was thick with fog, and the moon was nowhere to be seen. Only a few scattered stars dotted the sky. The cool night breeze carried the earthy scent of the surroundings, brushing against her face.